Golfers Billy Watson and Charlie Manning help Hampshire colts to national final

NORTH Hampshire golfers Billy Watson and Charlie Manning helped Hampshire’s under-21 team to victory in their triangular match against Kent and Sussex at the weekend.

Hampshire beat Kent 7-5 and while they lost by a point to Sussex, they progressed to the final of the Daily Telegraph South East Colts League after picking up half a point more than Sussex over the course of the match.

The match was played at Hever Castle Golf Club, in Kent, and Hampshire made an outstanding start in the morning Foursomes, beating both of their rivals 3-1.

Sherborne St John’s Watson teamed up with Brandon Thompson from the Isle of Wight to win two matches out of two. Manning, who lives in Oakridge, did not fare so well alongside Billy McKenzie of Rowlands Castle, the pair losing both of their matches.

Watson was on top form again in the afternoon’s singles, beating his opponents from both Kent and Sussex.

Manning was successful in his match against Charlie Parker from Kent, helping Hampshire to a 7-5 victory overall, but lost to Matt Greenfield as his side went down 6.5-5.5 to Sussex.

With Kent beating Sussex, overall victory was determined by totting up the points each team collected.

Hampshire’s total of 12.5 saw them edge out Sussex by half a point, with Kent a further half a point behind in third.

The victory means that Hampshire will face the North Division winners in the final at Hendon GC in October.

Hook’s Adam Copeland was a reserve in the South Division game, but is likely to play the final as three members of the team are due to return to university in the USA.